Imagine

Synopsis

In the beginning of 2010 the Playing For Change crew began work on a new Song Around the World, John Lennon’s “Imagine.” It has been an amazing year of production, taking the crew from the favelas of Brazil to the shrines of southern India, from villages in Nepal to the glittering urban landscape of Tokyo and New York, and beyond.

This song is the Playing For Change Foundation’s gift to the world. The Playing For Change Foundation feels honored to have the blessing and generous support of Yoko Ono as music lovers around the world join together to launch the Power to the People campaign. The campaign seeks to advance John LennonÃ¢ÂÂs vision of peace by engaging artists and audiences to contribute to music education programs worldwide. Proceeds raised will help build music schools, support teachers and music programs, purchase instruments, and connect schools for cross-cultural learning and conflict resolution across borders. Music IS the power: Power to the People.

Marketplace

Some songs are just perfect for the world to play together. Once we can imagine a place where we live as one in peace we are one step closer to making this dream a reality. John Lennon gave us the vision, now it is our turn to carry on the message. This version of the song is a tribute to the future of our planet.
This song was originally written and performed by John Lennon.

Women's Peace Through Music T-Shirt (Scoop neck). The phrase Peace Through Music truly captures the mission of Playing For Change and the Playing For Change Foundation. This movement began with the belief that, through music, we can connect with and better understand one another. Music helps to break down the barriers which prevent peace in this world.

Playing For Change: Peace Through Music is the DVD documentary (83 mins), as seen on PBS. The DVD includes 26 minutes more footage not seen on PBS, plus 20 minutes of bonus chapters chronicling the filmmakers' journey. This documentary is an exploration into the human spirit and the power of music to unite us as a human race Through the process of making this film we traveled around the world and discovered that music opens the door to a place where we can celebrate our differences and still connect our hearts.
The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music had the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.
We built a mobile recording studio equipped with all the same equipment used in the best studios, and traveled to wherever the music took us. As technology changed, our power demands were downsized from golf cart batteries to car batteries, and finally to laptops. Similarly, the quality with which we were able to film and document the project was gradually upgraded from a variety of formats- each the best we could attain at the time- finally to full HD.
One thing that never changed throughout the process was our commitment to create an environment for the musicians in which they could create freely and that placed no barriers between them and those who would eventually experience their music. By leading with that energy and intent everywhere we traveled, we were given access to musicians and locations that are usually inaccessible. In this respect, the inspiration that originally set us on this path became a co-creator of the project along with us.
-Mark Johnson, Director

PFC 2: Songs Around The World is a continuation and evolution of our mission. This album brings together over 150 musicians from 25 countries. All the music was recorded and filmed live outside from West African villages to favelas in Brazil. We traveled from New Orleans to Japan and witnessed a world full of so much hope and love. Together we are not only searching for a better world, but also creating one. Join us on a musical journey through time and space: from this moment forward we are a united planet finding our way, one heart and one song at a time.

Spread peace! This brand new, limited-edition PFC Peace Pack includes our favorite selection of Nepali handcrafts, in addition to the PFC Peace Through Music DVD Documentary. These items are unique and exclusive to Playing For Change, and the set is available for a limited time only. The PFC Peace Pack is a perfect gift for you and your loved ones. Let’s give a gift that matters!
Read more about world-renowned lokta handmade paper here!